I'm finishing up purchasing parts for my heads/cam swap that will be happening in the next month. The car has ~143k miles.

Here's what i already have:

1997 LT1 cam
rebuilt, ported, polished 081 heads
Ported and polished 305 TB
Edelbrock headers (AIR REMOVED)
catco cat 3"IN/OUT
4th gen catback w/ 2.75" I-Pipe + 80 Series Flowmaster muffler
190lph walbro intank fuel pump kit
Lakewood LCAs
Energy Suspension 24mm rear sway bar

Here's what i am getting:

new hydraulic lifters
new springs
timing chain kit
Delco plugs
New Wires
Full gasket set
Posi rear
350TBI injectors

Do I need anything else? Is there anything that I am forgetting? Any suggestions on additional parts or specific parts to buy for the swap?

Any and all comments, suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Derek

**EDIT: I am already in touch with someone about chip tuning so dont post that I need it... cuz I know I do

 

if i were you i would get a 3" intermediate pipe and get rid of the 2.75" pipe you have. With this setup, unless you are going to do some custom chip tuning, it will run like ****. So be prepared to spend around $300 for a chip burner, software, etc. to get the full potential out of the setup.

 

just some thoughts, check out difernt types of head gaskets for that little bit of extra compression, stay away from pvc valve seals. Now money items try and get a 3inch pipe, eligin make some cheap undercut and swirled valves for under 100. plenty of locks and retainers can be had for cheap to help lighten the valve train. given any kinda of thought on the intake?

 

Your set-up looks pretty good. I am glad you are in touch with someone about the chip. I hope that person will tune your car in person and not through the mail. It looks like you have been doing your research because you list is pretty complete. Any gears to go with that posi? Do you have plans for a new torque converter or do you have a T5 car?

 

As long as your putting a posi unit in you might as well ditch those 2.73 gears and move up to 3.42's or 3.73's. Also, after full exhaust, cam, and heads why are you sticking with the stock intake manifold? Definitely change that out, you've got to eliminate all of the bottlenecks.

 

Shifty... the tune will be inperson and not through the mail.

I planned on port matching, porting the intake manifold for now and buying an aftermarket manifold at a later time. I think the posi im throwing in is a 323 but it could be a 273 i have to check the casting on the carrier. But a gear upgrade to 373 or 342 is also in the future as well.

It is an auto and i was thinking about getting a 2200-2400 stall after the holidays.

As for the 3" I pipe... im pretty sure that 2.75" will flow well enough? that isnt going to effect me all that much i dont think. correct me if i am wrong

 

I think you're fine with the 2.75" I-pipe.

 

You have 2 series gear so make sure that the posi you use is a 3 series posi. If it isn't you can pick up some 3.42's for pretty cheap.

 

If you are going to do posi, then do your wallet a favor and do gears now. It takes no extra work to do the posi if you install gears. If you do it later, you will pay double the installation cost, because the work required is about the same.

Make sure you have the install kit for the fuel pump before you tear into the back half of the car. I had the wrong kit , and had to order the right one with next day delivery so I can put everything together.

You don't really need new lifters. The cam you have (as well as the one you are installing) is a hydraulic roller. You can reuse your lifters without any bad consequences. Those cams and lifters show virtually no wear with time. The only reason I would change them is if they are gummed up really bad (in that case the rest of the engine would be gummed up too) or are scuffed or broken.

 

well... as far as the posi goes, i dont have a choice on gear ratio that i want as of now because im getting the posi out of a buddy's camaro for cheap

as far as lifters im getting new ones because when i do the swap i dont want to find out that i need the f*ckers and be delayed... plus it wont hurt to get new ones


so the full lo3 makeover starts today.... posi, fuel pump, and rear suspension... every other part i need will also be bought today so here it goes... thanks for the help ill be updating and letting you know how much it actually took me to build this bitch up

Derek